The Birth of a Legend (1992)

About this title: Of all the countless compilations that have been stitched together of Ray Charles' early sides for Jack Lauderdale's Swing Time Records, this two-disc box is the only CD package that treats these enormously important works with the reverent respect that they deserve (meaning decent mono sound quality instead of murky electronic reprocessed stereo dubbed from vinyl, cogent liner notes, and full discographical annotation). This is where the genius began, imitating Charles Brown at the very start (1949) and sounding like nobody but Brother Ray by 1952 (when he defected to Atlantic and hit the ... read more

Tracks:

1. I Love You, I Love You (I Will Never Let You Go) [Lawrence]
2. Confession Blues [Charles]
3. Alone in the City [Charles]
4. Can Anyone Ask for More? [Charles]
5. Lets Have a Ball [Charles]
6. Rockin' Chair Blues [Charles]
7. If I Give You My Love [Leventhal]
8. Can't You See Darling? [Charles]
9. This Love of Mine [Parker/Sanicola/Sin]
10. How Long Blues [Carr]
11. Blues Before Sunrise [Carr]
12. A Sentimental Blues [York]
13. You Always Miss the Water (When the Well Runs Dry) [Andre]
14. Ain't That Fine [Hall]
15. Don't Put All Your Dreams in One Basket [Morgan]
16. Sitting on Top of the World [Chatmon/Vinson]
17. I've Had My Fun (Going Down Slow) [Oden]
18. C.C. Rider [Rainey/Traditional]
19. What Have I Done? [Charles]
20. Honey, Honey [Green]
21. She's on the Ball [Charles]
22. Th' Ego Song [Glenn]
23. Late in the Evening Blues [Henry]
24. Someday [Charles]
25. I'll Do Anything But Work [Jones]
26. I Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now? [Adams/Hough/Howard]
27. All to Myself Alone [Charles]
28. Lonely Boy [Henry/Lauderdale]
29. Baby Let Me Hold Your Hand [Charles]
30. I'm Glad for Your Sake [Lawrence/Tinturin]
31. Baby Won't You Please Come Home [Warfield/Williams]
32. Kissa Me Baby [Charles]
33. Hey Now [Charles]
34. The Snow Is Falling [Leiber/Stoller]
35. Misery in My Heart [Charles]
36. Let Me Hear You Call My Name [Charles]
37. Why Did You Go? [Charles]
38. I'm Wonderin' and Wonderin' [Charles]
39. Walkin' and Talkin' [Charles]
40. Guitar Blues [Charles]
41. Back Home [Charles]

Note: This is a general synopsis. Each listing is further described below.